Indonesia Unveils Steps to Prevent Nuclear Radiation

The Indonesian government has asked the Japan to issue non-radiation certificate for food exports to Indonesia, a move to avert possible food radioactive contamination caused by Japan's nuclear leakage, a minister said Thursday.

The Indonesian authorities also checked flights from the quake- hit Japan to prevent nuclear radioactivity, Indonesian Health Minister Endang Rahayu Eedyaningsih said in a statement.

The statement was made following Japan's ban on vegetables and milk produced at dangerous areas in Japan after the country's nuclear complex damage triggered by strong earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

"The foods that are set to be shipped to Indonesia after March 11 must be provided with certificate of free radiation by the Japanese authorities," the minister said.

Japanese food imports which have already entered Indonesia's territory are expected to be tested in a laboratory, Eedyaningsih said.

Major Japanese food imports to Indonesia include noodles, seasonings and snacks.

However, the minister said that the Japanese processed foods being sold in Indonesia's markets are safe, as they were transported before March 11.

The Indonesian authorities would check over radiation content on visitors from Japan at two main airports located in the capital Jakarta and tourist resort of Bali island, the minister said.

"We conduct radiation detection on Soekarno Hatta airport (in Jakarta) and Ngurah Rai airport (in Bali)," said Sedyaningsih.

The quake and tsunami in Japan have damaged nuclear reactors, triggering spread of radiation and killed thousands of people. But, the radiation has not reached Indonesia's waters, according to Indonesian Fishery Minister Fadel Muhammad.